Improving cultivation of cowpea in West Africa

Description

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a legume crop of vital importance to the livelihoods of millions of people in West and Central Africa, providing a nutritious grain and an inexpensive source of protein for both rural poor and urban consumers. This chapter examines what constitutes an optimal cowpea plant population and explains plant configuration in intercropping systems in West Africa. The chapter explores how planting dates can be manipulated to improve cowpea productivity, and how nutrient management can be used to increase cowpea yields. Finally, the chapter examines the application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in cowpea production and looks ahead to future trends in this area.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Optimal plant population 3 Plant configuration in intercropping systems in West Africa 4 Manipulating planting dates to improve cowpea productivity 5 Nutrient management for increased cowpea productivity 6 Integrated pest management (IPM) in cowpea production 7 Future trends and conclusion 8 Where to look for further information 9 References